Did you know that gum disease affects 64.7 million Americans today? This serious condition is an infection of your gum tissue, and can cause tooth loss if left untreated. Not only that, but this common condition can also increase your risk for diabetes and heart disease since the inflammation in the gums releases harmful bacteria throughout your body.
Periodontal disease is easy to treat in the early stages and is often reversible. In the early stages, periodontal treatment usually includes stepping up your daily brushing and flossing routine, followed by a professional dental cleaning. If you have advanced gum disease, treatment may include extra dental cleanings, improved at-home oral hygiene, antibiotic treatment, scaling and root planing (deep cleanings), or gum surgery.
At Precision Periodontics & Dental Implants in Winter Garden, Florida, our periodontists offer scaling and root planing for our patients with advanced gum disease. During scaling, we remove plaque and tartar (dental calculus) from the tooth surface. With root planing, we clean the roots of the teeth, smoothing the root to remove bacterial toxins. The scaling and root planing treatment may be split up into several appointments, in which we treat one section of the mouth at each appointment.
Gum disease prevention is easy with the right care and attention. Maintain a diligent daily oral hygiene routine and never skip scheduled cleanings. If you need help with your gums, please call our Precision Periodontics & Dental Implants team in Winter Garden, Florida, to schedule an appointment with our periodontists. We are happy to give you the care you need and the smile you deserve!